The Longest Long Run

Three weeks out from Boston, five weeks out from Big Sur: Time for the Longest Long Run.

Weekend logistics with the child and her dad meant the only run slot available was Saturday, starting at 3:30. Which is an odd time to start running for someone who is usually out before the sun is up. For whom 8:30 a.m. feels "late." But I figured it was good practice for my "late" 10:40 start in Boston.

Jack Daniels visited the offices of RW last week and championed the benefits of run-walking for endurance. Which of course we hear a lot from Jeff Galloway, but it was an extra something to hear it from this legendary coach. With that in mind, I ran for time, not distance, walking for one minute every 10 to 15 minutes. Stopping to walk is HARD when you're just starting out and feeling fresh.

The experience was a good reminder for my upcoming marathons: Proper fueling begins the day before, with a good healthy lunch and dinner (soup and sandwich is one go-to combo). Day of long run/race means (for me) coffee and tea and bread and peanut butter and Gatorade.

The sky was darkening and the temperature dropping by the time I stopped my watch at four hours and 7 minutes to walk up the last quarter mile hill to my home, just as the child and her dad were driving by on their way back from dinner.

"Mom!" she would saylater. "I didn't realize you'd be running that late!"

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